Continuing Maoist violence and political uncertainty is threatening to destroy Nepal’s educational system, with an indefinite strike call by the rebels from Sunday sparking the closure of about 33,500 schools and colleges in the Himalayan kingdom.
The future of Nepal’s approximately 6.5 million school and college students is at stake thanks to frequent strikes called by the Maoists and sometimes by political parties fighting for democracy. Strikes and closures have taken a severe toll on the number of school days available. While the seventh amendment in the Education Act 2002 prescribes at least 220 school days per year, last year schools in urban areas functioned for about 150 school days, while in rural areas, where the Maoists hold sway, even 100 school days are rare. Full Story
